View full sizeChris Carlson / Associated PressDavid Huff worked three scoreless innings against the White Sox on Saturday, following up two scoreless innings earlier in the week.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- David Huff and drama were roommates last year.

Alex Rodriguez almost sent him to another dimension with a line drive off the side of his head on May 29 at Yankee Stadium. The ball was hit so hard that it landed in right field for a double.

The left-hander with the hard head shook that off like he got buzzed by a mosquito. "I made my next start, fielded a comebacker, and threw to first base," said Huff. "I loved it."

What didn't go so well was his relationship with his manager. Manny Acta saw a talented left-hander who wouldn't throw his fastball as much as Acta thought he should throw it. If you're winning games, a manager is more likely to let a pitcher do things his way. Huff, however, wasn't winning games after leading the Indians with 11 victories in 2009.

"I was trying to work on some things," said Huff. "I wasn't having success, but I knew it would work. Manny is a competitor. He wants things to happen right now. He said, 'Hey, man, either hop on board or you're going to find yourself in Triple-A.'"

Huff, the last starter to make the 2010 rotation out of spring training, was optioned to Class AAA Columbus on June 21. He was 2-9 with a 6.04 ERA in 13 starts. The next month the Indians needed a spot starter for July 18 against Detroit. A few days before the game, a message appeared on Huff's Twitter account that he was coming up to make the start. The Indians, who had not announced the move, called up Jeanmar Gomez instead.

Huff said he didn't send the stray Tweet, but the Indians were not happy. It wasn't until Aug. 2 that Huff was recalled and that took Jake Westbrook getting traded and Mitch Talbot getting hurt. He made two starts, losing both, and was sent back to Columbus for good.

Indians chatter

Clubhouse confidential: A split-squad of Indians beat the White Sox, 8-3, Saturday at Goodyear Ballpark and lost to Seattle, 7-2, in Peoria, Ariz. The Tribe plays the Rockies Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., at 3:05 p.m. ET. WTAM will carry the game. Justin Masterson will start for the Indians.

Attendance: 3,105 at Goodyear; 6,168 in Peoria.

Record: Indians (4-4), White Sox (1-5), Seattle (3-3).

Starting pitching: David Huff went three scoreless innings and looked good doing it. Jeanmar Gomez, competing for the fifth spot with Huff, allowed four runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings against Seattle. Gomez threw 50 pitches, 30 for strikes.

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This spring Huff has tried to stay drama free. It's difficult because he's trying to win the fifth and final spot in the rotation. He's competing with Josh Tomlin and Gomez.

"It's not a big deal," said Huff. "This is my third year in a row doing it. I know what I do best. That's to get guys out. That's what I plan on doing."

He started Saturday and pitched three scoreless innings in a 8-3 victory over Chicago at Goodyear Ballpark. Meanwhile, Gomez started against Seattle and allowed four runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings on the way to a 7-2 loss.

"David Huff used all his pitches," said Acta. "He was very efficient. He threw some very good breaking balls."

Huff has thrown five scoreless innings in Cactus League play. He's struck out five. Tomlin has thrown five scoreless inning as well.

When Huff reported to camp, Acta, pitching coach Tim Belcher and GM Chris Antonetti had the same message for him.

"They told me, 'Hey, we're behind you 100 percent,'" said Huff. "They said 'put last year behind you. We want you to compete for the fifth spot. We want you to be out there.'"

Said Acta, "Our issues last year weren't because David was fighting what we were trying to tell him. We told him he had talent and we were trying to find a different way to reach him. Pitching behind in the count didn't help him last year.

"Our job is to continue to talk to David and try to get the best out of him."

Huff went 8-2 at Columbus last year in 12 starts. While he was in the big leagues, former Tribe catcher Mike Redmond introduced him to Mets left-hander Johan Santana. Huff asked Santana to show him his famous change-up. It's a pitch Huff has been throwing 50 percent to 60 percent of the time this spring. Along with his fastball, and the occasional slider and curveball, it has helped him get off to a fast start.

The first four pitchers in the Indians rotation are all right-handers. Huff would give them some much needed balance.

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